They say that you get what you pay for and that there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
Both sayings are equally true when it comes to working with a professional digital marketing agency.
After all, good SEO and digital marketing experts aren’t cheap and cheap ones aren’t always good.
That’s why it is incredibly important to weigh the pros and cons of working with a particular agency or service before signing any contracts.
Likewise, you should also have a good idea of the general market value for what they cost and why they add value to your overall strategy.
This is definitely a post you’ll want to read through carefully before you even think about hiring someone to help with your next project.
Here’s what you need to know about SEO pricing and how much you can expect to pay for services.
Why Should Your Business Pay for SEO?
When it comes to deciding how to use your marketing budget, you might wonder if paying for SEO services is actually worth it.
The truth?
Hiring an expert to handle search engine optimization for your website can save you both time and money in the long run.
Here are a few reasons to consider:
SEO Takes a Lot of Time
Search engine optimization isn’t something that you do once and then reap the benefits from forever.
Instead, it is a process that happens on a daily or weekly business, with requirements to add new content and make changes all the time.
Employees Have Other Things to Do
There are a lot of companies that opt to delegate SEO tasks to employees who have other duties.
The problem with this? There’s just too much to do to try to attempt both at the same time.
Instead, it is a much better idea to hire a professional to handle the process, leaving your staff free to focus on other important tasks.
SEO Best Practices Change Frequently
Another reason to hire a professional for SEO?
The best practices change frequently and Google almost always has an algorithm change right around the corner.
Trying to keep up with the latest and greatest tactics is sometimes difficult if it isn’t your primary industry.
How Much Does an Average SEO Project Cost?
SEO pricing can vary depending on the scope of the project and how big your website is.
However, a good guideline to consider for cost is small service packages with minimal services can start as low as $500 a month, while major enterprise pages with major needs can be as high as $30,000 per month.
If that sounds like a lot, don’t be alarmed.
The cost to hire an entire in-house team while paying for benefits, taxes, and other staffing needs is often considerably higher.
Plus, there’s the element of having to keep a building with lights, internet, and computers to consider.
When you break it down in that fashion, outsourcing your SEO is definitely the more cost-effective option.
One thing people sometimes overlook is the hidden cost of subpar SEO—like when your site drops off the first page and traffic tanks for weeks before anyone even notices. Imagine scrambling to figure out what went wrong, while sales quietly slip away in the background. That’s the sort of headache that adds up, financially and emotionally, a lot quicker than you might expect. Good agencies spot potential issues before they spiral, which you can’t really put a fixed price tag on—but losing visibility hurts, no matter how big your brand thinks it is.
Transparency is another piece that makes working with a professional agency way less stressful. You should expect clear communication around deliverables and what’s actually being done, not pages of technical jargon or vague promises about “ranking number one.” In my experience, the agencies worth their salt explain how their fees tie to real outcomes, and they aren’t shy about showing you the results. It’s a bit like choosing between mystery meat and a meal with the ingredients listed out—only one leaves you confident about what you’re investing in (and eating, come to think of it).
How Much Should Your Business Pay for SEO Services?
Ultimately, it depends on a lot of factors as to how much your business should pay for SEO services each month.
But a good rule is that you shouldn’t be utilizing more than about 30% of your monthly overall digital marketing budget.
But this number isn’t final.
In fact, you might opt to use SEO services before ramping up a pay-per-click campaign or for improving traffic a few months before a holiday sale.
Part of working with a professional SEO agency means breaking down how much you can actually afford, and any reputable company would be more than happy to assist you with this process.
Wrap Up: SEO Pricing Depends on Your Context
When most people think about fixed costs for their business, they don’t always think about digital marketing.
However, by working with an outside provider, you can get the best results while saving a ton of time and money in the long run.
After our blog post on SEO pricing, are you interested in seeing how well your current website stacks up for optimal SEO?
Not only will it help you narrow down the best services for your needs, but it will offer plenty of tips to help you get started on the path to better organic traffic.
